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Teen Saves Tot From Rough Seas Off Oakland Park

OAKLAND PARK (CBSMiami) – A South Florida teen dived in head first to save a young boy trapped in Sunday’s rough surf.

Saleh Saleh, 15, said he was asleep on the beach off Oakland Park Boulevard when he heard a small boy screaming for help.

“So I just got up as fast as I could and as quick as I can and go save the little kid,” said Saleh.

Saleh said he saw a boy who looked to be around 5-years old struggling in the rough sea and didn’t waste any time in trying to help. Boogie board in hand, he ran down the beach and threw himself in the surging waves.

“By the time I got there, the kid was underwater, his whole body,” said Saleh. “I put him on the boogie board and I pushed him onto shore as fast as I can.”

Saleh said someone else tried to help, but he too got caught up in the waves.

“His father went out too. His father wasn’t feeling well either, the paramedics took him.” said Saleh.

Witnesses on the beach said the boy had been close to shore, in shallow waters, but somehow had gotten dragged into deeper where he fought to keep his head above water.

It was a rough day on the beach. CBS4 heard reports of several rescues nearby at Lauderdale by the Sea, but no serious injuries.

Saleh, a high school freshman, said when he went to the beach on Mother’s Day he never expected that he would end up saving a life.